Where Will My Customers Come From? Write a List.

OK, you like the idea of having your own business, but where are your customers going to come from? Every business needs customers, clients, shoppers etc. You can't just rush out into the street and grab people and make them work with you. What should you do?

The first thing to know is the majority of businesses do not achieve overnight success. I'm sorry, I wish it were otherwise, but some planning, patience and work will be required. If your business is going to be small (not required to bring in the main money to support your family and save for retirement) then your job may be somewhat easier. If your business is one that people already know and understand that should also help. We've probably all heard of McDonalds; we know what to expect from a new McDonalds which opens near us. Other businesses may, or may not, be something we've heard of. Have you heard of Usborne Books? If our business is something new or unique that could be a good thing or a challenge, depending on what we are supplying and how we promote it.

Assuming that you are starting a small business which is of interest to families, we can guess you have an advantage because you already know several families. That's not to say that every family you know is going to be interested. The key to direct selling, and other small businesses that cater to families, is starting with your existing personal network. There is no substitute for sitting down and writing a list of all the people you know. Don't just include family and your best friends on this list - sometimes family and best friends are a great support and other times they 'run a mile'. Include on your list everyone who's business you frequent, people you know through social groups, parents of your children's friends, people you've worked with in the past. I say to include everyone you like. It's up to you if you want to include people you don't like too of course.

At this stage don't even think about whether the people you know will or won't be interested in helping you in some way or other. If you're not willing to ask, you won't know! Put their names down and don't score them off until you've really thought about how to talk with them. Most people are willing to do something for you, though the level of commitment and support will surely vary from person to person.

What are you waiting for? Go and start your list.